The Australian music industry is paying tribute to rock music journalist and broadcaster Glenn A Baker, who has died at the age of 74.
The beloved journalist, known for his distinctive headwear and unmatched music knowledge, died after battling an illness.
His death came three after his 74th birthday, his family said in a statement.
“Glenn’s contribution to the Australian rock ’n’ roll music landscape was immense, but his family remembers him as a loving father of six and grandfather of 13,” the statement read.
“Glenn’s passion for music, travel, food and his family (still not entirely sure of the order) was, like his personality, larger than life.”
The family said while they wished for privacy, they encouraged others to “have a passionate conversation today with somebody about your favourite Australian muso or band”.
“Rock on Glenn! You will be missed,” they said.
Earlier, on Friday morning his friend and fellow music journalist Stuart Coupe broke the news of his death.
“This is a post that I was hoping I wouldn’t be making for a considerable period of time but after an illness Glenn A Baker passed away earlier this morning,” he said in a statement.
“I’m beyond sad.”
A pillar of the Australian music industry, Baker worked as editor for Billboard magazine for more than two decades, and co-established record label Raven Records in 1979.
He was also one of the key figures on radio, launching his on-air career hosting a trivia show before moving to Triple M.
He also took part in a research project in the mid-1970s, which led to the creation of 2JJ, later rebranding to Triple J.
Baker had six children and 13 grandchildren.
Online, loved ones, colleagues and supporters shared tributes for the trailblazing broadcaster and music expert.
One man who said he knew Baker for more than five decades described him as a “legend of the music industry”.
“A truly wonderful man,” he wrote.
Another loved one said they loved spending “time listening ti (his) stories”.
“I loved your enthusiasm for all things music – no one could tell a story like you,” she wrote.
“I’m sorry I won’t be able to tell you any more renovation stories because I know how much you loved them!”
Speaking to 702 ABC Sydney, his son Orson said the music journalist’s health had been “declining for a while”.
He said Baker had previously suffered a stroke and was experiencing a “period of illness”.
He remembered living in a home filled with “music and chaos”, with Baker becoming an avoid record collector.
“Growing up, the most exciting thing was going out to purchase a new record to bring that record home, to open it up and to read the inner sleeve, the comments, the notes by the band, the photos,” he recalled.
“And then to sit there and play it … play the entire album start to finish, this was his world.”
Orson said while Baker loved to travel and had plenty of other interests, music was one of the things that brought his father “joy”.
“He described Baker as “somebody who absolutely grabbed life, throttled it, and did everything that he wanted to do”.
“He visited over 150 countries, became an accomplished travel writer, and I guess music was his absolute passion,” he said.